A pair of Italian painted faux marble and parcel-gilt bureau cabinets, Marche 18th century

each with an arched top above a pair of shaped doors enclosing two shelves above a fall-front enclosing a shelf and three serpentine long drawers on bracket feet, the whole decorated with cartouches and reserves and stylised foliage in yellow, blue and red on an ivory ground simulating marble with parcel-gilt mouldings 

Formerly in a Private Collection.

Silvano Colombo, L'Arte del Legno e del Mobile in Italia, Bramante, 1981, no. 512, where one is illustrated.      

In overall good conserved condition. Old marks, chips and scratches and surface dirt and wear to gilding commensurate with age and normal usage. Both possibly formerly had an escutcheon. The inside of both fall-fronts is worn. Some very minor losses to the decoration especially to the gilding which can easily be touched up. There are scattered hairline age and construction cracks with some very minor retouching in places. One scrolled foot has been restored. There is a vertical construction crack in the right door of one when facing which can either be filled or left. There are some hairline vertical construction cracks in the sides of the lower section of both which can either be filled or left as they are not too noticeable due to the painted decoration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This pair of cabinets are highly unusual decorated to simulate marble and originate from the Marche region. Their rarity is not only due to their  decoration but also that they have survived as a pair.